INSIDE TRAVEL.

United Straightens Out Its Garment Bag Wrinkle

May 28, 1999|By John Schmeltzer.

United Airlines' airport templates designed to restrict the size of carry-on bags have hit a snag--literally.

Unless they are tightly rolled, garment bags are getting caught by the dozens in the stainless steel templates, which measure 9 inches by 14 inches. Rolling the bags, however, defeats passengers' reason to use them in the first place--to keep clothes somewhat pressed.

The templates are attached to X-ray machines at airport security checkpoints where passengers and their belongings are screened for dangerous items.

Many of United's most important customers--frequent business travelers--have complained about being forced to fold or roll their garment bags in order to jam them through the templates, which have been installed at 23 North American airports.

As a result, the UAL Corp. subsidiary says it is modifying the templates so that garment bags can be placed flat on the conveyor belts .

"We enlarged the templates and reviewed the new design with some of our best corporate customers, who were very supportive," said Christopher Bowers, senior vice president-North America, who last December approved installation of the templates after a one-month test at O'Hare International Airport.

"As a result, we believe this modification will not only satisfy our customers but also allow United to continue its efforts to improve on-time performance, reduce the hassle in the boarding process and lessen the risk of cabin injuries from oversized carry-on bags," he said.

The redesigned templates were introduced this week at O'Hare and will be deployed next month at the airline's hubs in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport.

Delta Air Lines Inc. is installing similar templates.

Bond rich: After years of living hand to mouth, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority are rolling in cash.

Earlier this week, legislation was sent to Gov. George Ryan that will double the amount of state funds designated for the convention bureau. State funding will rise to about $5 million from $2.4 million.

The legislature earlier had agreed to a restructuring of $190 million in bonds that financed the 1993 expansion of McCormick Place to provide money to pay for incentive programs, such as subsidized bus service between McCormick and downtown, for convention and trade shows.

At the same time, the legislature agreed to allow the authority to issue $72 million in new bonds, which will be used to finance repairs and improvements to McCormick, Lakeside Center and Navy Pier.

United gets a taste: Taste of Chicago will not just be in Grant Park; it is going to be in the skies across the country, too.

Entrees from 20 restaurants are going to be served aboard United Airlines flights beginning Tuesday through July 10.

During the six-week promotion, the airline says it will serve 40,000 "Cheezeburgers" from the Billy Goat Tavern & Grill; 75,000 pizzas from Connie's Pizzas; back ribs from Charlie Robinson's Baby Ribs and 200,000 slices of Eli's cheesecake in addition to thousands of entrees from the other restaurants.